wHY US? WHY NOW?
Remember.
Rebuild.
Renew.
On October 27, 2018, 11 Jews from three congregations were murdered while worshiping in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States. In the days after the attack, Pittsburgh came together to loudly oppose antisemitism and hate. The community rallied behind and alongside the three congregations as they began to pick up the pieces and rebuild.
Now, in the face of dramatically rising antisemitism, it’s our turn to pick up the baton in pursuit of a world without antisemitism and hate.
This prayer book was damaged in the October 27, 2018, attack.
Antisemitism
From college campuses and town halls to rural communities and urban centers across the country, people are experiencing antisemitism in ways they never have before. Antisemitism is a force that destroys lives, families, safety, and our individual and collective sense of security.
In the United States, antisemitism is especially insidious. It is independent of political ideology and often woven into how people view the world. It can fuel mistrust, seed conspiracy theories, and undermine democracy.
Hate on the Rise
Hate does not exist in isolation. Antisemitism often appears with other forms of bigotry against historically marginalized groups. Uprooting one form of hatred will reduce other forms as well.
The Tree of Life Center for Humanity is positioned to be a leader in the anti-hate movement. Like visitors to Ground Zero in New York City and Auschwitz in Poland, visitors to the site of the 10/27 attack will experience a deeper connection to the tragedy as they encounter the violent consequences of antisemitism and learn about the people who were taken.
At The Tree of Life Center for Humanity, we ask big questions of humanity as we bring together a cross-section of the greatest minds for discussion and reflection. Through these difficult but important conversations, meaningful connections are made and individuals are inspired to take courageous action.
360
%
Increase in antisemitic incidents between 10/7/2023 and 1/7/24, compared to the same period a year earlier.
Source: ADL
OUR APPROACH
Breaking Through Hate
The Tree of Life Center for Humanity is working to uproot antisemitism and hate through an interdisciplinary model of remembrance, education, bridging, and celebration
Remembering
We will actively remember the 11 lives taken on October 27, 2018 honoring them in everything we do and telling their story and that of the collective communal response that followed.
Educating
We will share the history of antisemitism from its historical roots to its unique manifestations in the United States, empowering visitors to take action and stand against hate in their communities.
Bridging
We will build bridges of empathy and understanding across differences as a catalyst for transcending divisive boundaries.
Celebrating
We will honor Jewish traditions and celebrate the beauty of Jewish life and values through innovative programming, holiday experiences, prayer, ritual and celebration.
Our Leadership
Executive Leadership
Carole Zawatsky
Chief Executive Officer
Olivia Scanlon
Chief Advancement Officer
Robin Cohen
Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Jackie Reese
Chief of Staff
Board Members
Michael Bernstein
Chair of the Board
Meryl Ainsman
Philip Chosky Charitable Trust
Gregg Behr
Grable Foundation
Sheila Reicher Fine
Fine Foundation
Robin Friedman
Tree of Life Congregation
Max Gelernter
Barker Gilmore
Bianna Golodryga
CNN International
Steve Halpern
Woodland Management
Alan Hausman
City of Pittsburgh
Mark Kurtzrock
Business Consultant
Jason Kushner
Corporate and Institutional Banking, PNC Bank
Larry Lebowitz
Fragomen and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh
David Levine
NuGo Nutrition
Warner Macklin, III
FoxChase Advisors LLC
Kent McElhattan
McElhattan Foundation
Jo Recht
Congregation Dor Hadash; Memorial Working Group
Diane Rosenthal
Sister of David & Cecil Rosenthal; Memorial Working Group
Jeffrey Solomon
TD Cowen
Lori Shapiro (Honorary member)
First Lady of Pennsylvania
Andrew Stewart
Silk and Stewart Development Group
Bonnie Van Kirk
Chatham University
Eric Ward
Race Forward
Anthony Williams
The Neighborhood Academy
Academic Advisory Council
Dr. Barbara Burstin
Lecturer, U.S. and the Holocaust, University of Pittsburgh; Former Chair, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh
Abraham Foxman z”l
National Director Emeritus, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Dr. Daniel Greene
Historian at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum; Adjunct Professor of History at Northwestern University
Alice M. Greenwald
Former President & CEO, National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Ambassador Jeremy Issacharoff
Former Ambassador of Israel to Germany
Dr. Jill Joshowitz
Grants Manager at Fine Foundation
Dr. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett
Professor Emerita, New York University; Ronald S. Lauder Chief Curator, Core Exhibition, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Warsaw
Scott Miller
Consulting Curator, Museum of Jewish Heritage; Former Director of Curatorial Affairs, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Dr. Pamela Nadell
Director, Jewish Studies Program, American University; Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History, American University
Yolanda Savage-Narva
Vice President for Belonging, Inclusion & Community,
American Jewish World Service
Amy Spitalnick
CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Eric Ward
Executive Vice President, Race Forward; Senior Fellow, Southern Poverty Law Center; Senior Advisor, Western States Center
Dr. James Young
Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Founding Director, The Institute for Holocaust, Genocide and Memory Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
FAQs
What is The Tree of LIfe Center for Humanity?
1
The Tree of Life Center for Humanity is a national organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that grew out of the community response to the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The Center is located at the site of the attack, in a building reimagined by Daniel Libeskind that includes a first-of-its-kind museum focused on antisemitism in America. The official memorial to the October 27, 2018, Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting is located on the Center’s grounds. The Center also includes educational programming and experiential opportunities for visitors to learn about Jewish life, culture and tradition.
What Happened on 10/27?
2
On October 27, 2018, 11 Jewish worshippers from three congregations were murdered during Shabbat (sabbath) services. The day is commonly referred to as 10/27 within the community. It remains the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States.
The three congregations targeted in the attack were Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation, and the Tree of Life Congregation (known then as Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation).
What’s the difference between The Tree of Life Center for Humanity and the Tree of Life Congregation?
3
The Tree of Life Congregation is one of three congregations affected by the October 27, 2018, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, or 10/27 as it is called locally.
The Tree of Life Center for Humanity is an independent 501(c)3 organization dedicated to uprooting antisemitism and hate, and building compassionate communities that is inspired by the community response to 10/27. It was founded by congregation members in collaboration with community partners. The two entities collaborate on programs and a representative for the Congregation serves on the Center’s board.
What happens to the Tree of Life Congregation?
4
The Tree of Life Congregation will return to the building, continuing its 160-year legacy.
Both Congregation Dor Hadash and the New Light Congregation opted not to return to the Tree of Life site. They continue to worship and meet at new locations that work best for their communities.